A continuous time random walk model of transport in variably saturated heterogeneous porous media

We propose a unified physical framework for transport in variably saturated porous media. This approach allows fluid flow and solute migration to be treated as ensemble averages of fluid and solute particles, respectively. We consider the cases of homogeneous and heterogeneous porous materials. Within a fractal mobile-immobile (MIM) continuous time random walk framework, the heterogeneity will be characterized by algebraically decaying particle retention-times. We derive the corresponding (nonlinear) continuum limit partial differential equations and we compare their solutions to Monte Carlo simulation results. The proposed methodology is fairly general and can be used to track fluid and solutes particles trajectories, for a variety of initial and boundary conditions.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figure

Assessment in Maltese Physical Education: an insight on assessment practices in early secondary years

Purpose: The purpose of this research project, therefore, was to pursue this line of inquiry by exploring the nature, range and efficacy of assessment practices in physical education in the Maltese context. More specifically, the following research questions were addressed: (i) what are PE teachers’ understandings of the notion of assessment and assessment policies in Malta? , (ii) what assessment practices / approaches do PE teachers employ and why? , and (iii) what barriers do PE teachers encounter that hinder their assessment practices? Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase focused on examining PE teachers’ perceptions and practices about assessment. A total of eight PE teachers agreed to participate in the first phase the study. The primary data collection tool was semi-structured interviews supplemented with lesson observations for the purposes of triangulation. Results from phase one informed the development of a national teacher survey (phase two). This was designed to explore teachers’ perceptions and understanding of the purpose and application of assessment on a larger scale. Important questions around teachers’ experiences and views on their initial teacher education and professional development opportunities in relation to assessment were also posed. The survey was distributed to all secondary PE teachers employed in state and church schools nationwide, and returned by 90, which represents a 71% response rate. Results: In this study, teachers seemed to share very similar ideas on the multi-dimensional nature of physical education – i.e. they identified four domains in terms of what the focus and purpose of PE should be. This seemed to transpose onto assessment as assessment was overall understood to be used to assess not only the physical dimension by most teachers. It was also evident that the extent of the teacher’s experience (i.e. years in the profession) has a direct impact in the mode of assessment of certain domains. Some concerns on the effectiveness of the current assessment policies and practices were highlighted, including questions about the nature and quality of teacher preparation to be able to assess in effective and meaningful way. However, even though teachers reported following similar syllabi, appeared to share most overall common perceptions about the importance and mode of assessment, including its potential to affect student motivation, , the way they conduct assessment seems to vary. Finally, teachers also expressed some concern regarding the current assessments’ focus on performance rather than progress vis-à-vis national policies. Conclusions: Results reported in this thesis suggest that there are a number of important areas which need to be addressed. Firstly, it is important that PE teachers are aware of and acknowledge the existence of a wide range of assessment processes and procedures, including summative and formative assessments. It is particularly important that they share a more in-depth understanding of the importance and complexity of AfL. To address this, emphasis should be placed on the content and quality of initial teacher education and CPD as it appears that they currently neglect this important aspect of teaching and learning

On developing a solvency framework for bookmakers

The betting industry has grown significantly but there have been no developments in creating a regulatory framework akin to the EU Solvency and Capital Requirement Directives in the Financial Services. This work derives a modular method to calculate the profit and variance of a portfolio of wagers placed with a bookmaker by subdividing these into bundles according to their likelihood size. This calls for improved risk manage-ment and regulatory set-ups similar to those of the financial services industry, which should include a minimum capital requirement for bookmakers to accept a particular number of bets — “A passport for taking risks.”peer-reviewe

L-iskrittura mqaddsa u kif inhi mnebbha mn-Alla

L-awtur jagħtina xi informazzjoni dwar l-iskrittura mqaddsa u kif kienet imnebbħa minn Alla.peer-reviewe

A case of a large, painless retroperitoneal mass causing hydronephrosis and biliary obstruction

A 56-year-old man presented with abdominal distention over a few months. He was otherwise well and routine blood tests were normal. Examination of the abdomen revealed a firm swelling. CT scan was performed for further evaluation.peer-reviewe

‘Mn’ : transgressive ‘Penelope’

This paper will explore notions of female agency and assertiveness in the final chapter (‘Penelope’) of James Joyce’s 1922 modernist novel Ulysses. It will attempt to demonstrate how Molly Bloom transgresses traditional and expected norms of behaviour and thought for a woman living in the early 20th century. I will argue that Molly is in some ways an androgynous figure and that she approximates the male sensibility to a degree. Additionally, the study will illustrate in brief how she challenges women’s marginality in a male-dominated society and how unapologetic she is, and whether this is related to her sexual agency or otherwise. I will also be making brief references to other chapters, in relation to Leopold Bloom particularly, for comparative purposes. I also intend to explore ‘Penelope’ in relation to the obscenity trial of Ulysses and how this might have conditioned its reception by readers. Finally, I will also attempt to suggest that the closing chapter of Ulysses is far less transgressive than might have initially been previously asserted.peer-reviewe

Expected values and variances in bookmaker payouts : a theoretical approach towards setting limits on odds

This study summarizes the key methods of displaying probabilities as odds and provides simple mathematical derivation of a number of key statements in setting odds. Firstly it estimates the expected bookmaker profit as a function of wagers placed and bookmaker margin. Moreover it shows that odds set by bookmakers should have implied probabilities that add up to at least one, otherwise arbitrage is present. Bookmakers can increase profitability by offering more multiples, also known as accumulators, and can lower variation in payouts by maintaining the ratio of wagers and implied probability per outcome.Pinnacle Sportspeer-reviewe